John Coltrane left behind some cryptic, handwritten study notes entitled ‘Scales of India’. Here, I explore which ragas they are, where he got them from, and what he was doing with them…
[under construction: out 2022]
• Solving the mystery of John Coltrane’s handwritten raga notes •
Features fresh archival sources, new input from his collaborators, and insights from master musicians of the East and West – as well as a walk through some of the Indian ideas that fascinated Coltrane so much in the first place…
—Pt. 1: The ‘Scales of India’ puzzle—
—Pt. 2: Reverend Herbert A. Popley—
—Pt. 3: Trane’s Indo-jazz context—
—Pt. 4: What do the scales reveal?—
—Bonus: Simpkins’ global modes—
—Trane’s chosen ragas demystified—
—Summary: all 24 global scales—
—Side quest: the massive sarangi—
—Carl Grubbs: Trane’s music room—
“If I make money, fine. But I’d rather be striving. It’s the striving, man – it’s that I want.” (John Coltrane, 1926-1967)
• Coltrane’s ‘Scales of India’ •
[under construction: out 2022!]
Trane left behind some cryptic, handwritten study notes entitled ‘Scales of India’. Here, I explore which ragas they are, where he got them from, and what he was doing with them. Features fresh archival sources, new input from his collaborators, and insights from master musicians of the East and West – as well as a walk through some of the Indian ideas that fascinated Coltrane so much in the first place…—Project Homepage—
1: Trane’s puzzle • 2: Reverend H.A. Popley • 3: Indo-traning methods • 4: The scales revealed • Simpkins: global modes
Coltrane’s ragas demystified • Summary: all 24 global scales • Carl Grubbs interview • Bonus: the super-size sarangi
• RĀGA JUNGLISM •
rāga: ‘that which colours the mind’
George Howlett is a London-based musician, writer, and teacher. I play guitar, tabla, and santoor, loosely focusing on jazz, rhythm, and other global improvised traditions. Above all I seek to enthuse fellow sonic searchers, interconnecting fresh vibrations with the human voices, cultures, and passions behind them. Site above, follow below, & hit me up for…
• ONLINE LESSONS •
—guitar & global music—
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